Aramco Puts VLCCs Back Into Hormuz After Three-Week Pause
Saudi Arabia spent weeks finding ways around the Strait of Hormuz. Now it is starting to send tankers straight back through it. Saudi Aramco resumed crude loadings from its Ras Tanura and Juaymah terminals inside the strait last week, ending a three-week gap in activity at the ports, according to Kpler and Vortexa data cited by Reuters. Three VLCCs—Malaysia Prosperity, Algeria Prosperity and…
Saudi Aramco has begun loading crude through the Strait of Hormuz after a three-week hiatus, according to data from Kpler and Vortexa reported by Reuters. Three VLCCs—Malaysia Prosperity, Algeria Prosperity, and Singapore Prosperity—each loaded around 2 million barrels between August 12 and August 16. Six more VLCCs are set to load Saudi crude from within Hormuz later this month, as indicated by Kpler data.
Some of these vessels may belong to Saudi-based Bahri, with seven currently stationed off the UAE and Oman, while two more are en route to Fujairah, reported by LSEG shipping data.
Traders suggest that Aramco might utilize Saudi-controlled tankers for future Hormuz transits, apart from South Korean vessels operated by Sinokor. This marks a significant change from when Aramco halted operations inside the strait for weeks following attacks on its tanker fleet during the recent U.S.-Iran conflict escalation. However, Saudi exports are not yet back to normal.
Aramco continues to supply Arab Medium and Arab Heavy crude to Asian refiners via ship-to-ship transfers off Fujairah, where buyers collect Saudi barrels without the vessels navigating Hormuz. The alternative route has its own challenges, including disrupted operations in the Red Sea due to a Houthi blockade and difficulties associated with longer voyages and increased freight costs.
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